Table



May 16, 1939. w c. LINDSAY 2,158,726

'TABLE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm IV: 6'. Lindsay.

May 16, 1939. w. c. LINDSAY TABLE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1956 3Sheets-Shet 2 II/I/ WA III y 1939- v w. c. LINDSAY 2,158,726

TABLE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 16, 1939UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- TABLE William 0. Lindsay, Harriman, Tenn.,assignor to Lock-Leg Table Company, a corporation of TennesseeApplication February 5, 1936, Serial No. 62,505 Renewed October 21, 19385 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved table and seeks, amongother objects, to provide a device of this character which will employ atop, extensible side leaves, and folding legs, the legs cooperating infolded position for retaining the leaves in a retracted position beneaththe top.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table wherein the legsare, in a folded position, completely confined within the limits of theframe employed.

set up.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table having means forretaining the legs and leaves firmly in their operative or inoperativeposition.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a table havingdiagonally extending removable braces which will prevent collapse of thelegs after the table has been set up.

Other and incidental objects of the invention will render themselvesapparent during the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the table, partly shown in section,and showing the braces in position and the legs extended,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 33 ofFigure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of my improved table, shown in section,and illustrating the device as it would appear with the leaves retractedand the legs in folded position.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-6 of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the bracesemployed.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals of referencedesignate like parts throughout the several views and in the followingdescription, the numeral 1 indicates, in general, a frame which ispreferably rectangular in shape and is formed with sidewalls 2 and 3 andend walls 4 and 5. The frame is preferably formed of wood but, ifdesired, it may be made of any suitable material and in any desiredsize.

Extending longitudinally of the frame medially of its width is arelatively wide spacing bar 6 and secured to the upper surface of saidbar is a table top I. The table top may be of wood, with a porcelaincover, or may be of sheet metal or any other desired material. The topis provided with a molded or substantially outwardly inclined edge 8 onall sides thereof and said top is preferably secured to the spacing bar6 by bolts. The frame I is provided with a sub-top or Wall 9 medially ofits length, said wall 9 extending throughout the central portion of thetable and being preferably of slight thickness. frame at each endthereof are end bars l and l l The end bar H is provided with spacingblocks l2 at each corner. Associated with the frame I and hingedlyconnected to said end bars l0 and H are leg mounting bars l3 and M. Theleg mounting bars extend transversely of the frame throughout its entirewidth and are adapted to be connected to the bars l0 and II by means ofhinges IS.

A pair of legs l6 is bolted or otherwise secured to the leg mounting barl3 and each of said legs is provided with a shoulder I! which isadapted, when the legs have been swung to set-up position, to engage theunder surface of the end wall l of the frame. The legs are adapted toextend longitudinally of the frame in closed position and are confinedwithin the area of said frame so that they will not protrude therefromwhen the table is stored. The corresponding inner end portions of thelegs l6 are adapted to engage firmly in the corners of the frame againstthe lower surface of the bar [0. As best seen in Figures 2 and of thedrawings, the bar H1 is provided with staggered recesses l8, the purposefor which will be described hereinafter. Opposed lugs [9 are mounted onthe inner faces of the bases of the legs l6 and these lugs are adaptedto be engaged by spring latches 2|] mounted on the end wall 4 of theframe. The latches and lugs l9 are adapted to cooperate for retainingthe legs in upright position when the table is to be set up. The latchesare, of course, releasable for permitting the ready folding of the legsto a position within the confines of the frame.

Carried at the opposite end of the frame is a Extending laterally of theleg mounting bar 2| which is hingedly connected to the bar I4. The bar2| has a central projection 22 on which is mounted a locking lug 23. Apair of legs 24 is firmly secured to the leg mounting bar 2| at each endthereof and said legs 24 are, like the legs |6, provided with shoulders35 which are to engage the lower edges of the end wall 5 of the framewhen in an upright position. Latches 26 engage locking lugs 21 in thesame manner as the lugs l9 and latches 20 for retaining the legs inupright position. It will be seen, by referring particularly to Figures4 and 5, that, when in folded position, the legs 24 overlie the legs |6so that said legs 24 will retain the legs 5 in place within the confinesof the frame and, in turn, said legs 24 will be held in place by theengagement of a latch 28 which engages the locking lug 23. The latch 28is mounted on a cross piece 29 which is mounted beneath the spacing bar6. The latch 28 is, of course, releasable for permitting the legs 24 toswing downwardly and thus release the legs l6, which will likewise bepermitted to swing downwardly to open position. It will be understoodthat the blocks |2,-which abut the corners defined by the end wall 5 andthe side walls of the frame, will space the pair of legs 24 from the barso that they will be permitted to fold snugly within the frame. As bestseen in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the bars l and H are cut awaycentrally, as shown at 30 and 3|, so as to permit of ready access beinghad to the under side of the spacing bar 6.

A pair of guides 32 and 33 extends transversely throughout the width ofthe frame I medially of its length, and said guides provide a track fora drawer 34 which has side walls 35 provided with grooves 36 adaptedslidably to receive tongues 31 on the guides 32 and 33. A bottom wall 38is provided for the drawer and said drawer is adapted to slide throughan opening 39 of suitable width in the side wall 3 of the frame. Thedrawer may project from said wall 3 a desired distance so that articlesmay be placed therein. Stops 48 are carried by the drawer for limitingits outward movement. A latch 4| is secured to the guide member 32 andsaid latch is adapted to swing into the path of the drawer after saiddrawer has been shifted to open position so that, when the drawer isclosed. the latch will prevent shifting of the drawer too far within theframe for normal use.

As shown in Figure 4, where it is desired to fold the table, thelatch 4|is shifted for permitting the drawer to be moved to a position centrallyof the frame. The legs may then be folded, after unlatching, and afterfolding, said legs will retain the drawer against outward slidingmovement from the frame. The wall 9 will provide a top for the drawerwhen the same is in closed position.

In order to permit enlargement of my improved table, I associatetherewith side leaves which are indicated in general by the numerals 42and 43. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the leaves areprovided with table sections 44 and 45 which are formed at theircorresponding inner ends with molded edges 46 which are adapted to matewith the molded edge 8 of the table when the leaves are set up for use.The leaves are connected to the table by means of arms 41 and 48 whichare adapted to project beneath the table top 1 and are slightly inclineddownwardly. The arms 41 and 48 are arranged in pairs, a pair of the arms41 being carried by the leaf 42 while a pair of the arms 48 are carriedby the leaf 43. The arms 41 are adapted to be straddled by the arms 48so that they will be permitted to slide inwardly and outwardly beneaththe table top 1 Without interference with each other. Slots 49 are cutin the walls 2 and 3 of the frame and these slots or notches provideguides for the arms 41 and 48 so that the leaves may be shifted into andout of operative position without liability of dislodgement. Carried oncorresponding inner ends of the arms 4'! are dogs 56 which are adaptedto engage in sockets formed in the spacing bar 6 when the leaves are ina set-up position. It will thus be seeen that the edges 8 and 46 of thetable top and leaves respectively will cooperate with the dogs 56 andsockets 5| for retaining the leaves in proper operative position whenthe table is to be enlarged. Stops 52 are secured to the under sides ofthe arms 41 and 48, and these stops will engage the inner edge of thewalls 2 and 3 of the frame when the leaves are being drawn outwardly soas to limit such outward movement and prevent complete withdrawal of theleaves from the table at this point. Should it be desired, however, toremove the leaves completely, it is only necessary to raise the outerends of the leaves so that the dogs 58 will be rocked out of the sockets5| and the stops 52 will clear the slots 49. When this is done, theleaves may be removed from the table. When it is desired to replace theleaves beneath the table top it is also necessary to rock the dogs 50out of the sockets 5|, when the leaves will be shifted slightlyoutwardly and downwardly so that they may be shifted inwardly beneaththe table top. They are shown in retracted position in Figure 6 and alsoin Figure 4.

When the leaves are in retracted position, the stops 52 will be disposedin staggered relation substantially centrally of the frame and, as bestseen in Figure 5 of the drawings, the legs l5 are folded and the foldingof these legs will dispose the stops 52 within the staggered recesses N3of the leg mounting bar l3. The legs l6 will thus serve a two-foldfunction in that they retain the drawer in position within the frame,and retain the leaves 42 and 43 beneath the table top. The legs 24 are,of course, held in place by the latch 28 and the stop lug 23. It will beunderstood that the leaves will be retained in retracted position sothat they will not slip out of position and be come marred or mar otherarticles of furniture when the table is being moved from place to place.

When the legs are swung to open position, the catches 23 will retainsaid legs in set-up position but in order that there will be no dangerof collapse of the legs I provide diagonally disposed interlockingbraces which are shown in general by the numerals 53 and 54. As bestseen in Figure 2. the braces are adapted to fit in sockets formed in thelegs H3 and 24 and said braces are adapted to cross each other andinterlock, as best seen in Figure '7. The braces are provided withmating cut away portions so that, when interlocked, their upper andlower surfaces will lie flush with each other. The braces 53 and 54 areformed in sections and are connected by hinges 55 so that when removed,the braces may be folded and readily stored.

It is thought that the construction and opera.- tion of my improvedtable will be clearly understood from the foregoing description. Itshould be understood that the table may be made of any suitable materialand in any desired size and design. A table made in accordance with theforegoing description, it is thought, will be highly eflicient in use,cheap to manufacture, and will present a pleasing appearance in thehome.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a table, a frame, a top, a spacing bar connecting the top with theframe, leaves carried by the frame and having arms, and legs carried bythe frame and adapted for supporting the table in an upright position,said legs having mounting bars, said leaves being extensible to lieflush with the top and being retractable to lie beneath said top,certain. of said legs being foldable to lie within the frame in closedposition for engaging the mounting bars of said legs with the arms ofsaid leaves and retaining the leaves in retracted position in the frameand beneath the top.

'2. In a table, a frame, a top, means connecting and spacing the top andthe frame, extension leaves carried by the table in the space betweenthe top and the frame and adapted to lie flush with the top when saidleaves are moved outwardly to extended position, said leaves havingguiding arms provided with stops for limiting the outward movement ofsaid leaves, a leg mounting bar pivotally mounted on the frame andhaving recesses, supporting legs carried by said leg mounting bar, saidlegs and mounting bar being foldable to lie within frame with saidrecesses and stops in cooperative relation when the leaves are inretracted position for retaining said leaves in retracted position.

3. In a table, a frame, a top, means connecting and spacing the frameand the top, said top having a molded edge, leaves carried by the tableand adapted to lie beneath the top between the top and the frame inretracted position, said leaves having a molded edge adapted tocooperate with the molded edge of the table top for disposing the leavesflush with the top in extended position, arms carried by the leaves,dogs carried by the arms and adapted to engage said first-mentionedmeans for cooperating with the molded edges and retaining the leaves inextended position, stops carried by the arms and normally limitingoutward movement thereof, legs carried by the frame and being foldableto lie within the frame, and means carried by the legs for engaging thestops and retaining the leaves in retracted position beneath the topwhen said legs are folded.

4. In a table, a frame having side walls provided with notches, a top, aspacing bar spacing the top from the frame, a side leaf, an arm carriedby the side leaf and adapted to project through a notch in a side wall,said notch cooperating with the arm to provide a guide for said arm andpermitting removal of the arm and leaf, a stop carried by said arm fornormally limiting outward travel of the arm and said leaf, said leafbeing shiftable to retracted position beneath the top and above theframe, a leg mounting bar carried by the frame, and legs carried by saidbar, said leg mounting bar having a recess adapted to receive the stoptherein, when the legs are in folded position for retaining the arms ina set position whereby the leaf and arm will be retained against outwardshifting movement.

5. In a table, a frame, a top, leaves carried by the frame and havingarms, folding legs carried by the frame and adapted to be unfolded forsupporting the table in an upright position, said leaves beingextensible to lie flush with the top and being retractable to liebeneath said top, and means carried by the legs for engaging the armsand retaining the leaves in retracted position beneath the top when thelegs are folded.

WILLIAM C. LINDSAY.

